The Filipino Canadian Basketball League of Yukon (FCBLY) completed its 13th season on Sunday at the Canada Games Centre. The FCBLY had to put its season on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic struck but they were able to finish the playoffs beginning in October.

The final championship best-of-three series was in the Women’s Division and saw Miranda squaring-off against Earls Restaurant.

Both teams became all too familiar with each other over the past three weeks. The two sides tipped-off in the final regular-season game, a contest taken by Earls.

In the first game of the title series, Earls was able to once again pick up the win, downing Miranda 49-46.

The schedule over the weekend was action-packed. The teams began play Saturday, where Miranda was hoping to keep their championship aspirations alive.

They did just that, holding off a tough Earls team 55-48.

From the opening tip of the penultimate game, Miranda played with an urgency fitting of their situation – it became clear early that they were not ready to go home.

In the first quarter, Miranda attacked the basket relentlessly. Their aggressiveness saw them score easy layups or get fouled, sending them to the free-throw line for two shots.

On defence, they closed down the paint but Earls showed good passing to cutters to get buckets at the rim. Miranda was able to grow a slight lead because they were hitting their three-point shots and took a 15-11 advantage into the second.

The game remained close throughout the second as both teams traded baskets. Heading into halftime it was 26-23 Miranda.

Miranda kept pressing the action after the break but they could not shake off a tough Earls squad. The effort was on full display for the socially distanced fans, as bodies hit the floor for loose balls.

Heading into the final quarter it was only a five-point edge for Miranda.

In the fourth, they held the lead by using strong defence and continuing to hit their shots from all areas of the court.

Earls tried to use a zone to force turnovers late but they could not overcome the deficit and the series was tied.

With the title series even at one, the fans were treated to another fine game of basketball in the winner-takes-all game.

Miranda was able to use the momentum gained in game two to play a solid game three and win the championship 52-44.

The final game very much mirrored game two. Both sides showed crisp passing on the offensive end to hit cutters or open shooters – each team was able to knock a decent amount of outside shots down.

The offensive output was even more impressive because Miranda and Earls were both getting after it on the defensive end.

There were no easy buckets.

Miranda managed to build the lead early, but only slightly. Earls always had an answer to keep the game close.

However, as the contest progressed, Miranda got more key baskets and stops to earn the Filipino Canadian Basketball League of Yukon Women’s Division Championship.

Claire Abbott led Miranda and all scorers with 23 points. Nicole Farkas chipped in with 11 and Tishalyn Siosan added 10.

Jayden Demchuck was the lone Earls player to break double-digits. She scored 17. Jealyn Minguinto had seven and Sam Demchuck and Christine Miral has six respectively.

The season MVP belongs to Ariane Battaliones and Abbott picked up Finals MVP honours.

The Mythical Selection team, akin to season all-stars, were Abbott, Jayden Demchuck, Battaliones, Miral, and Siosan.

The second team Mythical Selection was Tricia Rumbaoa, Sam Demchuck, Gladice Aostol, Farkas, and Minguinto.

The Mythical Selection adult team was Pat Rumbaoa, Au Viernes, Marivic De Guzman, Madelyn De Leon, and Lianne Fordham.

Winners of the other titles were Domino’s Pizza, U35, Whitehorse Subaru, Over 35, and Air North, U15.

Basketball players in the FCBLY will probably not have to wait to long for action to resume. The 14th season is tentatively slated to begin near the end of February.